Press Release

Effective Immigration Enforcement Should Not Require Extreme Measures

(Arlington, VA) – The Department of Defense is deploying additional U.S. troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, supplementing the reported 2,100 National Guard personnel now supporting border enforcement efforts along the border. Additionally, the president is reportedly considering and preparing to announce broad changes to entry policy along the southern border, including a bar on whole categories of non-U.S. citizens from lawfully applying for asylum.

Daniel Garza, president of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“America has always been a beacon of hope to those facing oppression and reprisals at home. Our laws do not require the United States to accept every asylum applicant, and we should not attempt to do so. But when people present themselves at the U.S. border seeking asylum, their claims should be considered fairly and expeditiously, with due consideration for the factors that are driving them to flee their home countries.

“It is also important to improve and reform our immigration system. Enforcement should not require extraordinary measures such as the use of military resources intended for national security, or denying people the ability to petition for asylum. Closing off our country does not make us safer.

“America’s immigration laws have not been updated in decades, and problems like a backlog of asylum claims have not been addressed. The answer is not more dramatic unilateral executive action. The answer is legislation to reform the system.”

For interviews with a representative from the LIBRE Initiative, please contact Brian Faughnan, 202-805-1581 or Wadi Gaitan, 202-853-4433